1918 We will remember them (11 page)

The detached side of me thought that this would be a good opportunity to see if Sergeant Lowery’s improvements had made us a better bus than the Fokker.  With odds of three to one it was unlikely that anyone would ever know.

“The squadron is being attacked by a second formation of German fighters. We are engaging the Circus.  Over.”

We were two very fast formations of flights and we were not flying the way that the Germans would expect.  We were not in line astern.  That was our only edge. The Red Baron’s distinctive red livery was three aeroplanes along.  I flew at the gaudily painted yellow and blue Fokker. I glanced to left and right and saw that, for some reason, I was slightly ahead of Hickey and Jenkin.  When I was three hundred yards from the Germans I moved my stick to starboard and then, as I corrected to return to my original course I fired my guns. I was gambling that the pilots we faced were the best and would have wonderfully quick reactions. It worked.  The pilot of the yellow and blue Fokker tried to match my turn and his guns had no target.  I hit his engine at two hundred yards and I could not miss.  His Fokker fell from the sky as all power was lost.  He was a good pilot and I knew he had a chance of crash landing. There was a gap into which I flew. 

I banked to starboard.  I was in dead air. The second wave of Fokkers could not fire for fear of hitting their own pilots and I could attack the unprotected rears of the Fokkers who were being attacked by my brave young pilots. I kept the turn going and raked the rear of a green, white and black Fokker. I saw that the next aeroplane was that of the Red Baron.

“I have just shot down a triplane.  I am engaging the Red Baron. Over.”

It might be my last message but it was important for Randolph to have a picture of the fight.

As I pulled my nose around I saw the red tail and I fired. Richthofen had good reactions and a sound tactical sense.  He began to pull a loop to get away from the danger and to allow his second wave to hit us. I had to adjust my turn and climb with him. This would be a test. He did not pull away. He kept jinking as he climbed and I had no shot.  I had the tiger by the tail and I hung on. When he got to the top of the loop I knew what he would do.  He would not continue down but he would roll and then either turn to port or starboard.  I had to gamble.  When he rolled he was, briefly, flying level and I fired for the two seconds he was in my sights.  I do not know why but I turned my bus to starboard.  It could have been a disaster.  If he had turned to port he would have been able to get on my tail but he turned to starboard too and I fired again.

I was suddenly aware that we were in clear air.  The clouds were close to us but the rest of the combats were taking place far below us.  The sound of the guns seemed muffled.  This was a game of cat and mouse. I saw that I had damaged both his tail and hit his fuselage although it did not appear to affect the handling of the lively little Fokker. He had begun to move his bus from side to side trying to draw fire and waste my ammunition.  I was less than a hundred and fifty yards from his tail and I could be patient.  I looked at my compass and saw that he was drawing me east.  Perhaps Randolph was right and they had a shorter range.

Suddenly he jerked his Fokker and disappeared into the clouds.  I had no choice but to follow. I knew that he would turn once he was in the clouds. I gambled and turned to port. It was the opposite of the move I had anticipated earlier and it took him away from his base. I had met the man and knew his calculating mind. When the turn was complete I dropped my nose and saw him below me, heading south.  I discovered I was heading east. He had not seen me and I banked and dived to starboard.  As his aeroplane became a cross beneath me I fired.  I hit his top wing and his Spandau. I must have damaged his guns for he turned to port and began to descend as he headed for home. I looked at my fuel gauge. I was running out too.  I gave one last burst and then turned to head west.

As I flew over the scene of the fight I saw the Fokker I had hit, burning. There were also two burning Bristols and a Camel. I think I saw the wreckage of three other aeroplanes but I could not identify them. If we had lost just one Camel and two Bristols then we had edged a draw with the Circus.

“Returning to the field.  Over.”

I did not know what to feel.  I had survived a second encounter with the Red Baron and shot down a Fokker but nothing was decided.  We both still lived. I had this feeling that the Circus was a squadron bound up in the myth of the Red Baron. If we could only shoot him down then the myth would be destroyed.

My engine began to cough a little.  My aerial exertions had almost used all of my fuel. I was lucky.  I saw a gap on the airfield and managed to land my bus before it ran out of fuel. As I stood in the cockpit I surveyed the field. All of my Camels were there although all of them looked to be damaged in some way. Freddie had lost his new pilot. He had lasted just three hours over enemy lines.  Our life was exciting but could be very short.

My flight raced over to me once my propeller had stopped. “Did you get him sir?  The Red Baron?”

“We saw you disappear into the clouds and then…”

I shook my head.  “No he escaped but I hit his guns.  It may be he won’t be flying in the morning. Did you get any kills?”

They all looked disappointed.  “No sir, although we winged a couple of them and George made one of them smoke a little.”

Jack Fall was ever generous with his praise.  “Well done, George.  Claim that as a possible eh?”

“No sir.  I’ll wait until I see that they are down.  Don’t worry.  I’ll get there.  We took on the Flying Circus today! And they ran.”

I nodded, “I think that they do have a problem with endurance and I also noticed that while they can climb they don’t dive so well.  Keep them flying around and they will run first.”

Once again our damage grounded us but the Circus was noticeable by its absence.  Randolph and Archie were summoned to Headquarters.  I wondered if it was for a dressing down.  They did not like our squadron to be stood down.

In the mess we managed to catch up on old newspapers.  We read how Werner Voss, one of the other leading German aces, had been shot down by Captain McCudden in an SE 5. I shook my head.  The British ace had had seven other aeroplanes with him and the German had managed to damage three before being shot down. The Germans had some remarkable fliers.

Freddie took me to one side.  “Sir, my new pilot lasted just two flights.  How do you manage to keep your pilots in the air longer than I do?”

“You should know, Freddie, you flew with me. Protect them while they are new.  Even if they think they are ready to take on the Germans don’t let them until they have hours in the air.  I was worried sick about Davies. But Fall and Jenkin looked out for him. My flight may not be claiming many kills but they are damaging the enemy and they aren’t dying.  That is a victory in my book.”

“The lads say you took on the Red Baron again.”

“He is a damned good pilot. I was lucky up there.  I managed to second guess him.  Next time I might guess wrong.”

The next morning we had a briefing from Archie and Randolph.  They had been at Headquarters until late in the night.

“Well it wasn’t a telling off as we expected.  It seems we hurt the Germans the other day. They sent a couple of reconnaissance aeroplanes to photograph their field and it looks like they were damaged worse than we were.  Well done; and now the good news.  We are being rested. A and D flights will be given a week’s leave and then B and C flights. That way we will have both Camels and Bristols. We need to be ready for an offensive in November.  Until then we will just patrol our own lines and stop the Hun from watching what we are up to.” Everyone cheered.  Archie nodded, “And Bill here has been recommended for a bar to his MC.” He chuckled, “He will need a bigger uniform soon.”

Ted asked.  “When do the first lads go on leave sir?”

“Tomorrow Ted.  If you and Freddie can take your flights up today for a patrol then Gordy and Bill can pack.” He smiled at me, “Oh and Bill the general said there is an investiture at the Palace on Thursday.  The Prince of Wales will be presenting you your VC.” Everyone cheered but part of me resented the fact that I would have a day less to spend with Beattie.

“Right sir.”

“Contact the General in London when you arrive and his chaps will give you the details.”

It was good news but I was not certain if Beattie would be able to get time off. However any time I could spend with her was better than nothing and a week’s leave was not long enough to get home to Burscough. I told Bates the good news. “Leave sir?  How delightful.” He hesitated, “Will you need me, sir?”

“I don’t think so.  What have you planned?” I knew that he had no family.

“Well sir, I thought I would take the opportunity of exploring the old buildings of London.  When I heard that the Germans were bombing the old city I realised that I needed to see them while they were still standing.  Who knows what mischief they might get up to?”

He was right but I would have no time for sightseeing. “Well enjoy yourself.”

“Will you be in London, sir?”

“I think so.” I hesitated, “I have to go to the palace on Thursday to get a gong.”

His face lit up.  “Well done sir! Will you be staying at a hotel or the Army and Navy club?”

It was a good question but I didn’t want to be around soldiers.  My medals drew too much attention and I wanted to be able to be with Beattie as much as possible. “A hotel I think.”

“Well if you would not mind, sir, I would like to arrange that and then I would still be able to keep your uniform looking smart for the investiture.”

“You don’t need to you know.”

“I know sir.  I want to.”

“Good then I will leave that in your hands.  One job less for me to do.”

“And I will pack for you sir.”

I had no time to contact Beattie and, when the boat train arrived in London, I left Bates to arrange the hotel while I went to the hospital. He told me that the hotel would be close to Buckingham Palace.  There were many hotels in Victoria. I arranged to meet him outside the gates of Buckingham Palace in an hour. It was a relief not to have to worry about such mundane things as arranging a room in a hotel. It was late when we reached London.  I ran across Hyde Park to reach the hospital. If she was on duty I could wait for her to finish her shift and if not then I could go to her quarters.

The orderly who was standing outside having a quiet cigarette recognised me.  He stubbed out his cigarette and wafted away the smoke.  “Major Harsker! What are you doing here?”

I smiled as I sought for his name. “Just a quick leave, George.  Is Miss Porter on duty?”

He scratched his head.  “I am not certain, sir.  If you wait here I’ll find out.”

I cooled my heels and looked around at the peaceful streets.  One change I noticed from my earlier visits was there were more sandbags around the doors and the windows were taped.  The German bombers were more than a nuisance; they were deadly.

George wheezed back to the door. “Er yes, sir.  She’s on duty.  She’s in theatre at the moment.  I left a message to say you were here.”

“What time will she be off duty?”

“Ten o’clock.”

I looked at the clock in the hallway. It was six thirty.  “Right I’ll be back at nine thirty.  Make sure she knows I will be here waiting for her.”

“Don’t you worry, sir. We’ll make sure.” He nodded towards my ribbons.  “Well done for the medal, sir.” I nodded.  There was little to say that didn’t come out as either false or arrogant.  I had found a polite nod worked.

I found Bates peering at the Palace through the gates. “It would be a great shame, Major Harsker, if this was to be damaged by the Hun.  It is a wonderful building.”

“It certainly is.” As he led me back to the hotel he had found, the Mayflower, I said, “I am allowed two guests on Thursday, Bates when I come for my medal.  I would be honoured if you would be one of them.”

He turned and for one moment I thought that he would embrace me, “Really, sir?”

“I only have Miss Porter in town and I don’t think that Captain Hewitt would appreciate being dragged away from his wife and child.”

“Then I accept.  That would be wonderful.  It might be my only chance of visiting the home of the King and Queen.”

I thought it was true and it was sad at the same time. Bates and soldiers like him would do their jobs far better than I did mine but they would never be rewarded.  It didn’t seem fair.

The hotel was comfortable and quiet. It was an old Georgian building which had been converted to a hotel. At one time it would have been the town house of some aristocrat. Times had changed and this one had become a pleasant little hotel which was close to Buckingham Palace.  I suspected that in peacetime it would have been popular. The bombing raids had meant that fewer people visited the capital.

I had a bath while Bates pressed my uniform and he gave me one of his special close shaves so that I left the hotel feeling as smart as paint! He was more than happy to go around the corner for a quiet meal in the local pub, The Grenadier.  Food was the last thing on my mind.

My supposed stroll across the park proved to be almost a run and I reached the hospital at nine fifteen. I lit my pipe and smoked a whole bowlful.  I tapped it out at ten to ten.  I just had a few minutes to wait. As I had hoped she was the first one out of the doors and she threw herself into my arms.  I heard the giggles from the other nurses as they passed us.  I didn’t care.

“This is a surprise!”

She linked my arm and we followed the other nurses towards the nearby nurse’s home. “It was a reward for our work.  It is only a week.  Bates and I are staying at ‘The Mayflower’.”

She turned and kissed me, “That is just across the park!”

“I know.  John picked it.”

“He is a treasure.”

I have to go to the Palace on Thursday for my gong.”

She stopped and looked at me. “How wonderful! You are clever.”

“Could you get the morning off and come with us?”

“If I tell matron that you are getting a medal at Buckingham Palace then I am sure she will give me permission.  If not I will swap with Sally.  She owes me tons of favours.” Her face darkened, “I am afraid I am working every day for the next week.  Today is my last late shift though.  The rest are all mornings.  I start at six and finish at two.”

“Perfect!”

We had reached the Nurse’s Home where she had her room. “And I am afraid we have to be in by ten fifteen each night.”

I glanced at my watch.  We had just ten minutes left. “We’ll have to make good use of the time we have.” I kissed her full on the lips.

“Bill! You will get me in trouble.”

I laughed, “You know, I don’t care! Why shouldn’t a fellow kiss his girl?”

She giggled, “You know you are a bad influence on me.  I don’t care either.” She kissed me back. 

The light from the door shone on us as it opened and a hatchet faces harridan glowered at us. “The door will be locked in two minutes, Nurse Porter!”

“Just coming.”

I kissed her again, “I’ll be outside the hospital at two.  Decide where you want to go!”

She kissed me and went up the steps.  “Anywhere so long as it is with you!”

As I walked back across the park I reflected that I had had but a few minutes with Beattie; I had not eaten and yet I was happy and content.  I would make sure that every moment we had was worthwhile. That evening my sleep was disturbed by the distant explosions of German bombs.  It was another reminder of the proximity of the war.

I visited General Soames in the building that would become, in the following year, the Air Ministry. I was treated far better than I had expected. Apparently the award of a VC to a pilot who was still alive was considered a rarity.  Lanoe Hawker had been the last one! Our three passes and precise instructions were given to me along with a rapid course in court etiquette.  As I left, the young lieutenant told me that there would be someone at the palace who would ensure that I didn’t make a mess of things.

John had gone off to see Somerset House and the fine buildings down by the Strand. I slowly sauntered around Trafalgar Square before grabbing a Ploughman’s and a pint at a little pub just off the Square. After my meal I wandered the streets and I found a good tobacconists just along Piccadilly where I spent half an hour with a most knowledgeable tobacconist who helped me to select a pound of good smoking tobacco.  He made up a mixture of black shag, an aromatic leaf from the Dutch East Indies and a slow smoking Virginia. He even supplied a humidor to keep it moist. He gave me a great deal of his time and a most reasonable price.

“Thank you very much.”

“No sir, thank you.  My son was killed at Arras and his mates told me what a good job you fliers did.  I am sad that my son is dead but proud of heroes like you. God Bless you, sir.”

Once again I was at the hospital well before two.  Beattie was the first out.  In the daylight I could not get over how beautiful she was.  She linked me and began to lead me to the Nurse’s Home.

“Why go to your quarters?”

“I need to get changed, silly Billy!”

“Get changed later.  I want more than ten minutes with you before you disappear again!”

She giggled, kissed me and we headed off into Hyde Park. If you had asked me what we talked about I could not have told you.  We both gushed out the words which told the other of what had been happening lately. Before I knew it dusk had fallen.

“Now I will need to get changed but I promise I will just take fifteen minutes, no more!”

I smoked a fine bowlful of my new tobacco as I waited for her. She was a picture worth waiting for when she came out. I took her to the Ritz.  Part of it was because we loved the atmosphere but it was mainly because it evoked memories of Charlie and Alice when they were happy.  We toasted them in a celebratory bottle of Champagne. It cost a fortune but I rarely spent the pay of a major anyway. I was remembering all my dead comrades as well as the sadly doomed relationship of my little sister.

As the evening wore on I began to feel frustrated.  I wanted Beattie to be with me.  She had promised, already, to be my wife and I was waiting patiently for that day, whenever it arrived. I looked at the couples who were dancing, the women with rings on their left hands and they looked happy.  I would have to take her back to the Nurse’s Home and they would be sharing a bed together. I thought of Gordy and Mary and how happy they were and then I remembered Alice’s letter.  I wanted no regrets and I took the plunge.

“Let’s get married on my next leave.”

“What?”

“I know I said I wanted to wait but I don’t or I won’t! We have to have banns or something read don’t we?” She nodded.  “Well let’s get them done and then when I get a leave we can just get married.”

“But the war will still be on and it won’t be a big wedding.”

“I don’t care.  Who wants a big wedding?  I want you to be Mrs Harsker and I want to be able to hold you all night and not say goodnight at the door of your digs. That is all that I want.  That and chance to be a dad and watch our children grow up.”

“You are sweet and I would love to but I don’t know how to go about these things.”

I looked at her in surprise.  “But you are a woman!”

She laughed.  “That doesn’t mean I know everything about getting married.  If I had sisters or my mum was still alive then it might be different.  All the girls I live with are single. The only married woman I know is Mary Hewitt.”

I slumped in my seat. “Sorry, you are right.  I didn’t know how to do this sort of thing but…”

She sipped her Champagne. She suddenly sat upright. “I know, I’ll see the Chaplain in the hospital tomorrow.  He will know what to do. Uncle is a nice chap.”

“Uncle?”

“That is what everyone calls him.  I don’t know why. He is a lovely man.  You will like him.”

It was a long lonely walk back across the park after I had taken Beattie home.  John was sitting in the lounge catching up with the news by reading the Times. “Things are not looking good in Russia, sir.  I fear they will be out of the war soon and then goodness only knows what that will mean.”

I smiled at my manservant.  He was so clever and could do so much more than he did.  I often wondered what he would do when the war was over.

“Did you have a good night, sir?”

I nodded, “Yes I told Miss Porter I wanted us to be married on my next leave.”

He stood and grabbed my hand in his.  “Oh good show sir! What wonderful news!”

I shook my head, “The trouble is neither of us know how to arrange such things.”

“Pish posh, sir.  It must be easy.  Why hundreds do it every month and they aren’t as clever as you and Miss Porter.”

“Well she is seeing the Chaplain tomorrow.  He will know how to go about things.”

“There, you see, you are a pair of clever things.” He became serious. “Now don’t forget that your mother and father are getting on in years and they will need to be here for the wedding!”

“You are right, John, but I am not certain when my leave will be.  This one was unexpected.  We had thought we would have one in December but…”

He nodded.  “What do you think of this hotel, sir?”

It seemed a bizarre question which was unrelated to our previous conversation.  “Fine.  I like it.  Why?”

“I was talking to the manager, he is a nice chap and he was impressed when I said you were going to get your VC from the Prince of Wales.  I bet he would hold a couple of rooms for us and we should have a week’s notice at least eh sir? And I can get in touch with your lovely sister and she could make the travel arrangements.”

“But it would be wrong to get their hopes up of a wedding Bates.”

He shook his head and wagged his finger, “Sir! I am surprised at you.  I can be discreet.  Leave the arrangements to me!”

He was as good as his word. Once we were back in France he took on all the details.

The Chaplain was a lovely man.  Major Osborne was a career Chaplain.  He had been wounded at the First Battle of Ypres and had a limp.  I saw the pain of that battle etched on his face. Had the war not still been on I daresay he would have retired but he was the perfect person for us to talk to.  He was an old soldier and understood our motives from the off. He was more than happy to get the banns read in the local church.  “And if you don’t mind being married in our little chapel here than we can use that for the ceremony.”

For some reason, that seemed like Fate.  The hospital was where we had first met and there was something almost perfect about the arrangement. It seemed to have symmetry about it. The next few days passed in a blur and even the investiture seemed dreamlike.  I think Bates and Beattie were more affected than I was.  Certainly they both cried. The Prince of Wales seemed a nice chap and asked some knowledgeable question about our buses. After the ceremony the three of us were photographed outside and I was happy about that. Bates would have a permanent reminder of his visit to the Palace. The chap who took it said that the photograph would appear in the papers like The Times and The Daily Mail. Mum and dad would be as proud as punch.